Tuning fork



TQNING FORK Filed Sept. 26, 1946 3 a 3 3 6 i b UL k 5 5a, I I A! 194 90 Ber-H J46 6 br'ney.

Patented Sept. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TUNING FORK Aaron Roth, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application September 26, 1946, Serial No. 699,531

3 Claims. 1

The present invention pertains to improvements in tuning forks, one object of the invention being the provision of an attachment to the free ends of the tines of the fork striking head that in no way affects the tune or desired vibratory action of the fork but which permits the fork to be struck against a hard or inelastic surface, but has nothing to do with the sup pression of the harmonics of the fundamental note of such fork.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a resilient sound deadening surface striking element at the outer side of the end of each tine of the fork, attached in such a manner as to not in any way deleteriously affect its tone and vibratory action.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a tuning fork embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view thereof.

Figure 3 is a cross section through the end of one tine of the fork showing the rubber bumper in place.

Figure 4 is a similar section of a modified form of bumper or head.

Figure 5 is still another modification.

Figure 6 is a section of the modification shown in Fig. 5, taken at right angles to that in said figure.

Figure '7 is a section of still another modification.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the numeral l designates the fork proper having a handle 2 with a supporting cross bar 3, whereby the fork may be suspended between the fingers when necessary.

Heretofore, this would constitute the complete tuning fork, but it has been found that to secure the best possible results from a tuning fork that some means must be provided for permitting it to be struck properly, and therefore in this instance, there is formed in each tine 4 at its extreme end a tapered bore or opening 4' smaller at its outside end to receive a mush-roomed shaped rubber bumper 5, the securing end 5 of which is a greater diameter than the bore 4', so that when forced into the bore 4, it will be held firmly in place.

In the construction shown in Fig. 4, a bumper or knob ii carries a screw 6 which is threadedly engaged to the tine 4**, while in Figs. 5 and 6, a

slotted carrier 1, having the straddling wings 8, embraces the end of its respective tine 8 and is secured thereto by means of a screw it fitted in the threaded bore iii of the tine. A rubber bumper or striking head l2, has a cylindrical attaching portion tightly fitted or adhesively mounted in the bore i l of the carrier 1.

In Fig. 7, a hard rubber encircling band I5, connects a striking head or bumper It to the end of a tine 4 and this may be by elastive gripping or cement, as may be elected.

It will be noted that in each instance, the extreme outer face of each tine is provided with a rubber striking member, attached in the various manners, so that when striking the fork the striking head receives the blow, does not mar the furniture, and permits expending the desired and necessary force to secure from the fork the maximum in vibration time and without in any way affecting the tone of the fork.

Where so desired, only one tine may be equipped with the rubber bumper, and this rubber is of a tough type, with suflicient resiliency to relieve the shock, yet, transmit power to vibrate the tine or tines of the fork.

What is claimed is:

1. A tuning fork provided with a bore in at least one tine near its free end, and a cushioned surface striker mounted in said bore and carried by the tine.

2. A tuning fork as claimed in claim 1, wherein the striker is a rubber head with a bore entering support.

3. A tuning fork having two tines, each tine adjacent its free end being provided with an opening having a tapered bore, the small end of which is to the outside of the tine, and a rubber striker member having a semi-globular head and a bore engaging stem, the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the bore, whereby the compressed action of the stem within the bore holds the striker member securely in place.

AARON ROTH.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Fischer Dec. 9, 18814 Number 

